Preschoolers are just beginning to explore and understand the wide range of emotions they experience. Music can be a wonderful tool to help them identify, express, and manage these feelings. Here are 11 songs that are engaging, easy – to – understand, and specifically designed to teach preschoolers about emotions.
11 Songs About Emotions And Feelings For Preschoolers
1. “If You’re Happy and You Know It” – Traditional
This classic children’s song is a great way to start teaching about positive emotions. The lyrics, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it. If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands” make it easy for preschoolers to recognize and express their happiness. The simple, repetitive melody encourages them to participate by performing the actions associated with the song, helping them internalize the feeling of being happy.
2. “The Wheels on the Bus” – Traditional
While it may seem like a simple transportation – themed song, it can also be used to introduce emotions. As the bus moves along and the children sing about the wheels going round and round, they can start to feel excitement. The lyrics, “The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round. The wheels on the bus go round and round, all through the town” create a sense of movement and anticipation. Preschoolers can learn to associate the joy of a bus ride with positive emotions.
3. “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” – Traditional
This gentle lullaby – like song can evoke a sense of calm and wonder in preschoolers. The lyrics, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high. Like a diamond in the sky” can make children feel a sense of awe at the beauty of the stars. It helps them recognize and appreciate the feeling of peace and amazement, which are important emotions to understand at a young age.
4. “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” – Traditional
This song is not only a great way to learn body parts but also to introduce the concept of focus and the positive feeling of accomplishment. As preschoolers sing and point to their body parts in the right order, they feel a sense of achievement. The lyrics, “Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes. Head, shoulders, knees and toes, eyes, ears, mouth, nose” are simple and easy to follow. The upbeat melody makes it fun, and the sense of mastery they gain can boost their self – confidence and positive emotions.
5. “I’m a Little Teapot” – Traditional
This song is full of energy and can teach preschoolers about expressing themselves in a fun way. The lyrics, “I’m a little teapot, short and stout. Here is my handle, here is my spout. When I get all steamed up, hear me shout. Tip me over and pour me out” encourage children to act out the role of a teapot, which can be a source of laughter and joy. It helps them understand how to express their feelings through movement and play, and the song’s catchy melody makes it a favorite among preschoolers.
6. “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” – Traditional
This song can teach preschoolers about cooperation and the positive emotions that come with working together. When they sing, “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream,” they can experience the joy of singing and moving in unison. It also gives them a sense of relaxation as they imagine floating down a stream, teaching them about calm and contentment.
7. “Bingo” – Traditional
The song “Bingo” is a great way to teach preschoolers about perseverance and the excitement of achieving a goal. As they sing, “There was a farmer had a dog and Bingo was his name – o. B – I – N – G – O, B – I – N – G – O, B – I – N – G – O, and Bingo was his name – o,” and each time they skip a letter and still manage to sing the song correctly, they feel a sense of accomplishment. The energetic melody and the repetitive nature of the song make it engaging for young children.
8. “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” – Traditional
This song can help preschoolers understand the emotions of determination and resilience. The lyrics, “The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout. Down came the rain and washed the spider out. Out came the sun and dried up all the rain. And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again” show how the spider doesn’t give up. Preschoolers can learn from the spider’s example and start to recognize the feeling of not giving up in the face of obstacles.
9. “Hickory Dickory Dock” – Traditional
This song can introduce preschoolers to the passage of time and the emotions associated with different times of the day. The lyrics, “Hickory dickory dock. The mouse ran up the clock. The clock struck one, the mouse ran down. Hickory dickory dock” can make them think about what they do at different hours. It can also be a calming song, teaching them about the peaceful feeling of a simple, rhythmic story.
10. “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” – Traditional
This song is a fun way to teach preschoolers about different animals and the joy of discovery. The lyrics, “E – I – E – I – O. And on that farm he had a cow, E – I – E – I – O. With a moo moo here and a moo moo there. Here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. Old MacDonald had a farm, E – I – E – I – O” are full of energy. As they learn about the different animal sounds, they feel excitement and curiosity, which are important emotions for their cognitive development.
11. “You Are My Sunshine” – Traditional
This song is a beautiful way to teach preschoolers about love and affection. The lyrics, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away” can help them understand the feeling of loving someone and being loved in return. The gentle melody and the simple words make it easy for them to grasp the concept of these warm, positive emotions.
Conclusion
These 11 traditional songs are excellent tools for teaching preschoolers about emotions and feelings. They are simple, catchy, and engaging, making it easy for young children to understand and relate to the various emotions being presented. Through singing and interacting with these songs, preschoolers can start to build a strong foundation in emotional intelligence.
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